16 pounds of marijuana seized in sting

MANCHESTER - Bail was set at $25,000 cash/surety each for two Massachusetts men arraigned Friday in Circuit Court-Manchester District Division on felony charges of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute.

Rodney Sinclair, 47, of 147 West Hampton Road, Florence, and Henry Pacheco, of 79 Michaelman Ave., Northampton, were arrested after members of the Manchester Police Special Enforcement Division, posing as prospective buyers, coordinated the delivery of 10 pounds of marijuana from a Northampton, Mass., location Thursday.

With the assistance of Massachusetts and New Hampshire State Police and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, surveillance of the Northampton address was conducted and Sinclair and Pacheco were observed leaving with large duffel bags.

The men were followed to the Manchester Econolodge, 75 W. Hancock St., where they checked in. Undercover officers made contact and arranged to meet the two Massachusetts men at the Comfort Inn on Queen City Avenue.

Manchester Police said when Sinclair and Pacheco were detained at the Comfort Inn, Sinclair had a duffel bag containing three pounds of marijuana and had over $1,500 in cash in his possession.

When a search warrant was executed at the Econolodge room rented by the two men, police found another seven pounds of marijuana.

As a result of information developed in this operation, Massachusetts State Police were able to execute two additional search warrants, resulting in the seizure of an additional six pounds of marijuana and approximately $8,000 in cash.

The 16 pounds total of marijuana seized has an estimated street value of $56,000.

In Circuit Court Friday morning, Sinclair told Judge Gregory Michael: "I would like to get this behind me."

A police prosecutor said Sinclair has a conviction for possession with intent to distribute in Northampton.

Pacheco told the judge that all he was doing was driving the cab. His criminal history includes larceny and assault and battery, according to police.

There will be a hearing on the source of any funds offered for bail for either man. Probable cause hearings for both men were set for Jan. 24.